Downsizing dilemma

V3cash

I forgot to mention I had solar installed 3 years ago so would like to get a few more years out of that investment 🤣
Think 60 is my magic number 

V3cash

Savvy_Sue said:

I think I'd get a valuation, and also think about where you might want to go. The one thing you can't change about a property is its location (which is our problem, location is perfect but house is too big).

If you start looking around the perfect place may leap out at you.

I just remember moving being the most horrendous stressful experience so I think I need a few more years to forget that 😕
are you currently looking to downsize then?

Shimrod

V3cash said:

Savvy_Sue said:

I think I'd get a valuation, and also think about where you might want to go. The one thing you can't change about a property is its location (which is our problem, location is perfect but house is too big).

If you start looking around the perfect place may leap out at you.

I just remember moving being the most horrendous stressful experience so I think I need a few more years to forget that 😕
are you currently looking to downsize then?

Adjusting to house size has already been mentioned, but it's worth taking a few holidays in properties of a similar size to see how they feel to you. When you get a smaller house, not only do you get less rooms but the rooms themselves tend to be smaller.

We've talked about downsizing (from a 4 bed house), but having taken a few holidays in two-bed bungalows, we know they would be too small. Even for a holiday they felt cramped to us, and we would not have space for our hobbies. 

Arthurian

Might you be able to split your house, hiving off part as a self-contained one or two bedroomed place?  Maybe using the Rent a Room scheme?

FlorayG

Arthurian said:

Might you be able to split your house, hiving off part as a self-contained one or two bedroomed place?  Maybe using the Rent a Room scheme?

If it's self-contained it doesn't qualify under the Rent-a-Room scheme; lodgers have to share facilities with the landlord

Murphybear

You could also post this on the “house buying, renting and selling” board, lots of experienced people on there.

If you could afford a bungalow I would definitely buy one.  Once you get a lot older you may have mobility issues and there’s nothing worse than going up and downstairs after a knee or hip replacement.  I’m talking from experience, I got a new knee when I was only 58. 

louby40

Don't always think you have to have a bungalow. Our house could easily fit a stair lift in if needed.

My parents are now in their 80's and live in a lovely terraced house, they are both fit and able and they say using the stairs everyday has definitely kept them fitter. They considered moving too but decided a stair lift could work if they ever needed one - so far all is ok but the option is there.  

V3cash

louby40 said:

Don't always think you have to have a bungalow. Our house could easily fit a stair lift in if needed.

My parents are now in their 80's and live in a lovely terraced house, they are both fit and able and they say using the stairs everyday has definitely kept them fitter. They considered moving too but decided a stair lift could work if they ever needed one - so far all is ok but the option is there.  

Yes absolutely agree, thinking on those lines will open up options 

V3cash

Shimrod said:

V3cash said:

Savvy_Sue said:

I think I'd get a valuation, and also think about where you might want to go. The one thing you can't change about a property is its location (which is our problem, location is perfect but house is too big).

If you start looking around the perfect place may leap out at you.

I just remember moving being the most horrendous stressful experience so I think I need a few more years to forget that 😕
are you currently looking to downsize then?

Adjusting to house size has already been mentioned, but it's worth taking a few holidays in properties of a similar size to see how they feel to you. When you get a smaller house, not only do you get less rooms but the rooms themselves tend to be smaller.

We've talked about downsizing (from a 4 bed house), but having taken a few holidays in two-bed bungalows, we know they would be too small. Even for a holiday they felt cramped to us, and we would not have space for our hobbies. 

Good idea, we had a friend who downsized and it was too small and they have now moved onto a slightly bigger one just down the road so I think i would need 3 bedroom and I have a wish list of things it needs like more than 1 bathroom, we will probably downsize to 4 bedroom as getting a large 3 bed is hard

Savvy_Sue

V3cash said:

Savvy_Sue said:

I think I'd get a valuation, and also think about where you might want to go. The one thing you can't change about a property is its location (which is our problem, location is perfect but house is too big).

If you start looking around the perfect place may leap out at you.

I just remember moving being the most horrendous stressful experience so I think I need a few more years to forget that 😕
are you currently looking to downsize then?

You and me both! I was so stressed that when an estate agent started telling me that property X on his books would hold its value better than property Y on someone else's books I just stopped him and said that I really didn't care about resale values, it wouldn't be my problem, because whatever we bought I'd be leaving in a box!

No, we're not looking to downsize. We probably should but there are complications. We may change our minds but ATM we're sticking where we are.